Catherine+Wainwright


 * SUMMARY: Catherine Wainwright died in Long Island, New York on August 26, 1922 after an illegal abortion perpetrated in an undetermined manner by an unknown perpetrator.**

On August 26, 1922, Mrs. Catherine Wainwright died at Nassau Hospital, Long Island, New York. "There was plain evidence that the woman had undergone an illegal operation shortly before her death from mercury poisoning."

John C. Wait, a New York attorney, voluntarily attended the coroner's inquest. He had been identified by Catherine as her best friend, two days before her death, when she'd spoken to a county detective. Wait was accompanied by Catherine's parents (Michael and Catherine Cusack) and sister (Mrs. Grace Hornby), along with two nurses.

Dr. Joseph B. Musante testified that Wait had summoned him to Catherine's home on the morning of August 21. He found her in serious condition from "what he diagnoses as a gastro-intestinal infection." Musante said that Catherine had reported "many violent vomiting spells since the preceding Saturday, when she returned from New York with Mr. Wait, with whom she had luncheon."

Catherine attributed her illness to food poisoning, so Musante provided her with two prescriptions. Catherine's mother said that she had filled one prescription, but the other, for rhubarb and soda, was lost. Wait, on the other hand, testified that he himself had destroyed the prescription because, as a chemist, he thought "he had better soda in the house."

Musante testified that Wait had never told him that he was a lawyer, and that Wait had also denied ever administering any soda to Catherine. He reported odd behavior on Wait's part. Wait seemed to be either a close friend or a member of the family, but refused to tell Musante exactly what his connection was.

Catherine remained under Musante's care, but her condition worsened and she refused to go to the hospital. Musante summoned Dr. Gustave A. Fensterer of Nassau Hospital. Fensterer ordered Catherine to the hospital. He coudn't get Catherine to give him any statement regarding the cause of her illness, but he suspected mercury poisoning.

The day after he'd admitted her, Fensterer operated on Catherine, and "discovered that she had undergone an illegal operation 'three or four days before.'" He was unable, however, to determine if drugs or instruments had been used. Fensterer also indicated that the surgery had revealed signs of mercury poisoning. "He said that when he first examined the woman his attention was drawn to the peculiar odor of her breath." She denied, however, having taken any poison. She did, however, indicate that "she occasionally had used bichloride of mercury."

Wait came to the hospital to check on Catherine and discuss her condition with Fensterer, who told him that she was going to die. Fensterer asked Wait, "Who are you?" to which Wait replied that he was the man who was going to pay the bills. Fensterer further testified that Wait asked if Catherine had taken "poison -- arsenic or something like that?" He also said that he'd have to contact Catherine's husband in South America.

The Resident Physician, Dr. Santos B. Lucent, had assisted Fensterer during surgery on Catherine. Wait introduced himself as the family attorney, and asked if it was appropriate to help Catherine draw up a will.

Jean McDonald testified that she'd known Catherine Wainwright and her family for many years. She said that Catherine had been employed by Wait at his legal firm for about 20 years prior to her 1918 marriage to Robert Wainwright, a civil engineer. The newlyweds had lived in Springfield, Illinois, until the previous April, when Mr. Wainwright had gone to South America and Catherine had returned to the family home. She said that Catherine's sister, Grace, had called her on August 22nd, reporting that Catherine was very ill. Jean went to the house that night.

The autopsy on Catherine revealed that she'd been "in a delicate condition" for three months, "and there were unmistakable signs that she had undergone an illegal operation." The cause of death was "acute nephritis due to some poison."

Catherine left behind a 3-year-old daughter, Phyllis.

Source: "Mercury Killed Mrs. Wainwright", //New York Times//, August 30, 1922

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